Council Services
Essential services will continue
We've considered appropriate steps we can take now, and what steps we may be required to take in the future, to respond to the situation as it evolves. We've implemented a workforce management plan to ensure the continuity of vital services such as water treatment, rubbish collection, and administrative support. We're also implementing strict social distancing, by considering which meetings can be conducted via teleconference, adjusting rosters to separate key personnel, identifying backup personnel for key roles, and making provisions for staff to work remotely if required.
Council Offices are open
Our offices are still open, including the branch offices in Ilfracombe and Isisford, and our customer service staff are available. However, many of our services are available online. Please consider whether you can conduct your business with us over the phone or online before coming to seeing us in-person.
Some community programs and grants have been suspended
We're suspending certain community programs, such as the first-five forever program and school holiday program. We've also had to suspend our community funding streams, including community grants, sponsorship, and regional arts development programs. Much of that funding is primarily designed to support community events – which will not be able to take place in the coming months.
Public facilities are starting to re-open
Some facilities, such as the Longreach Library, are starting to re-open - albeit with strict hygiene distancing measures in place.
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Longreach
- Apex Park Camping - opening 26 June, with restrictions
- Longreach Youth Hostel - closed
- Longreach Civic and Cultural Centre - closed
- Longreach Visitor Information Centre - Open
- Longreach Showgrounds (Oval and Buildings) - closed
- Powerhouse Museum - opening for School Holidays
Ilfracombe
- Langenbaker House - closed
- Rec Centre, Halls, Sheds and Wayne Taylor Oval - closed
- Machinery Mile Buildings (Railway Shed, Oakhampton Cottage, Romani Hall, Gun Display) - closed
- Wellshot Centre - closed
- Ilfracombe Tennis Court - closed
Isisford- Isisford Town Hall - closed
- Outer Barcoo Interpretation Centre - closed
- Isisford Library - closed
- Isisford Barcoo River Camping Area - closed
- Oma Waterhole Camping Area - closed
- Isisford Tennis Courts - closed
- Whitman’s Museum - closed
Yaraka
- Yaraka Community Hall - closed
- Former QR Goods Shed - closed
- Yaraka Tennis Courts - closed
- Yaraka Showgrounds - closed
- Yaraka Camping Facilities - closed
The Childcare Centre remains open
The Longreach Childcare Centre will be kept open for as long as possible, however, the Mobile Childcare Unit has been suspended. While every effort will be made to keep the centre open, Council says it is monitoring developments and has considered the circumstances under which it would be forced to amend services. Council has committed to keeping families informed at all times.
We've set up our Local Disaster Coordination Centre
Council CEO Mitchell Murphy, who is the Local Disaster Coordinator, has moved the Longreach Local Disaster Management Group to Lean Forward status and, as a precautionary measure, set up the Local Disaster Coordination Centre.
We're responding every day
Council has convened a COVID-19 Working Group to consider the organisation’s response to the pandemic. The group, chaired by CEO Mitchell Murphy, meets twice daily to coordinate Council’s workforce management and business continuity plans.